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"As the energy sector evolves to include more sustainable forms of energy, as our nuclear security needs also grow, and as more Americans retire, it is paramount that today’s energy workforce transitions to meet new opportunities, and that we build the 'workforce of tomorrow.'"

"Effectively supporting the mental health of our veterans is one of my highest priorities on this subcommittee. Effective and robust mental health programs must be available to all veterans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or we will continue to fail our veterans and our country."

"Only by conducting scientific research on gun injury prevention can we better understand the causes of this crisis and develop and implement a public health response to reduce injuries and death. Yet, without dedicated funding from Congress, the CDC, which should lead these efforts, cannot move forward with this vital work."

"It is time we support public research of gun violence too. We did until the Dickey Amendment in the 1990s. It did not ban the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention from researching. However, it had a chilling result, severely discouraging it."

"Amazingly, only one in four people eligible for federal rental assistance can receive it because of funding constraints. This is not written in the stars; it is a political failing. At a time when housing should be a front-burner issue, we seem to be falling farther behind."

"This year’s request is for a net appropriation of $747 million—an increase of $51 million or 7 percent above the current year. That increase covers things like needed fixes to the Library’s IT systems, improvements to the legislative information systems for Congress and the public, a strategy to better exhibit the Library’s treasures to visitors, and some interesting new technology to make the written word more readily accessible to people who are blind."

"When it comes to public safety and justice, Indian tribes face challenges that many other governments do not – rural, isolated areas with barely passable roads, and insufficient staffing and communications equipment that is often not compatible with other law enforcement agencies. On top of that, some tribes are still operating out of buildings that have been or are about to be condemned. The situation is just as disheartening when it comes to education."

"It will surprise no one to say that there is a student debt crisis: 44.7 million people owe $1.5 trillion in federal student loans, more than credit card debt or car loans. But less well known is this. We are facing a student loan servicing crisis."

"There are many critical areas for oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Therefore, it is fitting to formally begin our hearings with the Office of Inspector General, which is perhaps in the best position inform us about how the Department of Homeland Security is doing."